The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Aviation safety issues and actions

Recommendation issued to: Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Recommendation details

Output No:

R20030010

Date issued:

26 February 2004

Safety action status:

Background:

Output text

Safety Recommendation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority review their existing approvals of the
Saab 340 abnormal and emergency checklists, with reference to
current human factors research findings on the design and use of
aircraft checklists.

Initial response

Initial response

Date issued:

10 March 2004

Response from:

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Action status:

Closed - Partially Accepted

Response text:

In addition to the information provided to the Bureau on 23
January 2004, I am advised that in accordance with Civil Aviation
Regulation (CAR) 232, an operator is required to use an approved
checklist, which sets out the procedures to be followed by the
Pilot in Command (PIC) and other flight crew members prior to and
on take-off, in flight, on landing and in emergency
situations.

However, there is currently no requirement for human factors to be
considered when approving aircraft checklists. Checklists are more
often than not derived from manufacturers recommended checklists
and then modified to incorporate other requirements that are found
to be particular to the Australian environment.

Although there is currently no requirement for human factors to be
considered when approving aircraft checklists, I am advised that
training in both Human Factors and Crew Resource Management (CRM)
will be addressed with the introduction of Civil Aviation Safety
Regulation (CASR) Part 121A in 2005.

CASR 121A will require flight and cabin crewmembers to be subject
to more comprehensive training and checking requirements,
particularly in the application [of] human factors and CRM concepts
in training and assessment well beyond the production of flight
check systems.

CASA believes that the Bureau's recommendation will be met with the
introduction of CASR Part 121A, which will apply these principles
to all air transport operations in aircraft above 5700 kg maximum
takeoff weight (MTOW).

Furthermore, as a result of the Bureau's recommendation, CASA's
Airline Operations Area will include in their annual surveillance
plan for the 2004/05 planning year, an audit of the suitability of
design and use of flight deck checklists.